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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1 / Phase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Targeting Residual Activity By Precision, Biomarker-Guided Combination Therapies of Multiple Sclerosis (TRAP-MS)

Targeting Residual Activity By Precision, Biomarker-Guided Combination Therapies of Multiple Sclerosis (TRAP-MS) (NCT03109288) is a Phase 1 / Phase 2 interventional studying Multiple Sclerosis, sponsored by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Background: In people with multiple sclerosis (MS), brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers indicate inflammation or disease. Researchers want to see if 4 drugs given alone or combined affect MS biomarkers. They want to see if a change in biomarker levels can predict which drugs a person with MS might respond to. Objective: To see if signs of inflammation in CSF help predict a person s response to different drugs. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older who: * Are in protocol 09-I-0032 * Have progressive MS * Can stand and walk a few steps * Take an MS drug Design: Participants will be screened in protocol 09-I-0032. Participants will take 1 of the 4 study drugs. Researchers will call after 1 month to see how they are doing. Some will start a second drug. They may take each drug or combination for up to 18 months. Participants will have 2 visits a year for up to 6 years. Visits include: * Medical history * Physical exam * Blood and heart tests * X-rays and scans * Eye exam and tear collection * Lumbar puncture: A needle inserted between back bones removes some CSF. * Lymphocytapheresis: Blood is removed through a needle in one arm and run through a machine. The blood is returned through a needle in the other arm. * A sensor on the forehead records blood flow and oxygen use. * Participants may get a device for testing at home. Participants will stop taking the drugs if they have taken 2 drugs together for 18 months or if they do not do well on the drugs. Participants will be called 3 months later to see how they are doing.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Multiple Sclerosis, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 250 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Multiple Sclerosis subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

* Who May Qualify: - Enrolled in 09-I-0032 protocol. - Clinically definite MS. - Age \>=18 years at time of study enrollment. - Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 1.0-7.5. - For progressive MS cohort enrollment: - Documented sustained clinical progression of at least 0.5 CombiWISE points/year on stable therapy (or untreated) - If follow-up is \<3 years, CombiWISE progression slopes are measured by \>= 4 time points regression analysis of CombiWISE values spanning at least 18 months (1.5 years) - If follow-up is \>=3 years, CombiWISE progression slopes are measured by \>= 2 time-points regression analysis of CombiWISE values spanning at least 36 months (3 years) - Because currently only NDS utilizes CombiWISE scale, the progression slopes will be determined via 09-I-0032 natural history protocol that contains completely overlapping procedures. - It is possible that after other MS centers start using CombiWISE scale, this progression criterion may be derived from outside data, as long as they are adequately documented. - For non-progressing MS with residual disability cohort enrollment: - CombiWISE slope on stable therapy (derived identically as in progressive MS cohort) \>0 and \<0.5 CombiWISE units/year (i.e., neurological deficit that is no longer improving) - CombiWISE at the end of screening period \>10 (i.e., sustained residual disability) - Women who can become pregnant must be willing to use a medically acceptable form of birth control, while being treated on this study. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Enrolled in 09-I-0032 protocol. * Clinically definite MS. * Age \>=18 years at time of study enrollment. * Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 1.0-7.5. * For progressive MS cohort enrollment: * Documented sustained clinical progression of at least 0.5 CombiWISE points/year on stable therapy (or untreated) * If follow-up is \<3 years, CombiWISE progression slopes are measured by \>= 4 time points regression analysis of CombiWISE values spanning at least 18 months (1.5 years) * If follow-up is \>=3 years, CombiWISE progression slopes are measured by \>= 2 time-points regression analysis of CombiWISE values spanning at least 36 months (3 years) * Because currently only NDS utilizes CombiWISE scale, the progression slopes will be determined via 09-I-0032 natural history protocol that contains completely overlapping procedures. * It is possible that after other MS centers start using CombiWISE scale, this progression criterion may be derived from outside data, as long as they are adequately documented. * For non-progressing MS with residual disability cohort enrollment: * CombiWISE slope on stable therapy (derived identically as in progressive MS cohort) \>0 and \<0.5 CombiWISE units/year (i.e., neurological deficit that is no longer improving) * CombiWISE at the end of screening period \>10 (i.e., sustained residual disability) * Women who can become pregnant must be willing to use a medically acceptable form of birth control, while being treated on this study. * Patients on current FDA-approved DMTs will be enrolled with the understanding that the underlying FDA-approved therapy must remain stable during this protocol. If patient desires and/or his/her medical condition requires changing FDA-approved DMT during the duration of this protocol, the drugs administered under this protocol will be withdrawn, to establish new baseline of CSF biomarkers under changed therapy, and, if necessary, to establish new progression rate. New baseline of CSF biomarkers on changed therapy can be established after 6 months of new therapy. * Because the efficacy of current DMTs decreases with patient s age so that on average, zero percent efficacy on disability progression occurs after age 53, only those patients who change to higher potency therapy (i.e., treatment escalation) before age 53 will need to repeat the entire process of establishing baseline progression rate: go back to \>= 1.5 year baseline period on new DMT to verify that the rate of progression remains \>=0.5 CombiWISE points/year. * Following therapeutic change that occurs before age 53 will be considered treatment escalation: 1. Initiation of any FDA-approved DMT in previously untreated subject or 2. Change from any low potency (i.e., copaxone, teriflunomide, interferon beta preparations, dimethyl or monomethyl fumarate and fingolimod) to any high potency drugs (i.e., any B-cell depleting agents, natalizumab, alemtuzumab, siponimod, ozanimod and cladribine). All other therapy changes (i.e., parallel change from low efficacy to low efficacy or from high efficacy to high efficacy, as well as discontinuation of treatment after age 53) will require new CSF baseline (6 months after such therapy change), but will not require 18 months to calculate new CombiWISE slope. * After new CSF baseline, and, if necessary, new CombiWISE progression slopes are established, patient can be matched to the same monotherapy or combination therapy regimen they were on before the immunomodulatory DMT change. * Willing and able to participate in all aspects of the protocol. * Able and willing to provide informed consent. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Clinically significant medical disorders that, in the judgment of the investigators, could expose the patient to undue risk of harm or prevent the patient from safely completing all required elements of the study (such as, but not limited to significant cerebrovascular disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, clotting disorder, other neurodegenerative disorder, substance abuse or significant psychiatric disorder such as depression with suicidal ideations, unable to perform or tolerate MRI examinations). * Clinically significant medical disorders, other than MS that require chronic treatment with immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Abnormal screening/baseline blood tests exceeding any of the limits defined below: * Serum alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase levels which are greater than three times the upper limit of normal values. * Total white blood cell count \< 3 000/mm\^3. * Platelet count \< 85 000/mm\^3. * Serum creatinine level \> 2.0 mg/dL and eGFR (glomerular filtration rate) \< 60. * Serological evidence of HIV, HTLV-1 or active hepatitis A, B or C. * Positive pregnancy test. Following drug-specific exclusion criteria will be applied when assigning specific agent (these are not exclusions from the trial): * Pioglitazone * Congestive heart failure. * History of bladder carcinoma. * Type 1 diabetes. * Hypersensitivity to the drug. * Taking teriflunomide (Aubagio) because of risk of hypoglycemia on this combination. * Dantrolene * Hypersensitivity to the drug. * Hepatic impairment/active hepatic disease (cannot be paired with pirfenidone due to risk of cumulative hepatoxicity). * Persistent elevation of LFTs. * History of previous drug/medication or alcohol-related liver toxicities. * Pirfenidone * Hypersensitivity to the drug. * Hepatic impairment/active hepatic disease (cannot be paired with dantrolene due to risk of cumulative hepatoxicity). * Persistent elevation of LFTs. * Smoking. * Cilostazol * Hypersensitivity to the drug. * Congestive heart failure. * Hemostatic disorder/active bleeding. * Taking any S1P inhibitor (i.e., fingolimod, ozanimod, Siponimod or ponesimod) due to additive risk for QTc interval prolongation and thus increasing risk of arrythmia. * Leucovorin * Hypersensitivity to the drug. * Colorectal cancer (active). * Vitamin B12 deficiency

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Cilostazol

100 mg Bid

DRUG

Leucovorin

10 mg Bid

DRUG

Pirfenidone

Up to 801 mg po tid. Slow titration over weeks based on tolerability: 267mg po tid x \>= 7d 534 mg po tid x \>= 7d 801 mg po tid

DRUG

Dantrolene

Up to 200 mg/day (divided into 3 doses of 50mg, 50mg, and 100 mg)

DRUG

Pioglitazone

15-45 mg po qd

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT03109288), the sponsor (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT03109288 clinical trial studying?

Background: In people with multiple sclerosis (MS), brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers indicate inflammation or disease. Researchers want to see if 4 drugs given alone or combined affect MS biomarkers. They want to see if a change in biomarker levels can predict which drugs a person with MS might respond to. Objective: To see if signs of inflammation in CSF help predict a person s response to different drugs. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older who: * Are in protocol 09-I-0032 * Have progressive MS * Can stand and walk a few steps * Take an MS drug Design: Participants wi… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT03109288?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT03109288?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT03109288. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT03109288. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.